Fastener for securing together two panels

ABSTRACT

A fastener is provided for securing a first panel to a second panel. The fastener includes a stud insertable through apertures in the first and second panels. The fastener further includes a pivoting handle assembly with a handle operatively connected to a stud head and pivotal between an upright position generally perpendicular to the first panel, and a folded position generally parallel to the first panel. A biasing mechanism is connected to the stud head and the handle that biases the handle outward relative to the stud head. A locking pin is connected to the stud head and the handle and is in connection with the biasing mechanism to hold the handle in the upright position or the folded position. A fastener is also provided for securing together the first and second panels, including a grommet, a receptacle and an insert in threaded engagement with an interior of the receptacle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/256,436filed on Apr. 19, 2014 which claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/813,795 filed on Apr. 19, 2013 both of which areincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to quick connect fasteners for holdingpanels, other components, together and, more particularly, to ¼ turnfasteners which can be fastened and unfastened quickly and repeatedly.

As can be seen from Prior Art FIG. 1, fasteners 110 of the ¼ turn typehave been known which include a grommet 112, a stud 114 and a receptacle116. The fastener 110 holds together two panels 118 and 120, withadjacent sides of the panels in contact with one another, by extendingthrough openings 122 and 124 formed in the panels to receive thefastener. The grommet 112 has a cylindrical body 126 sized to extendthrough the opening 122 in one of the panels 118, usually an outerpanel, and one end of the cylindrical body 126 has a radially outwardextending flange 128 to engage the outer surface of the outer panel 118.The stud 114 has a shaft 130, a head 132, a cross pin 134 extendingthrough the shaft at an end opposite to the head, a cup member 136slidable along the shaft and a spring on the shaft between the head andcup member and received in the cup member.

The receptacle 116 of the fastener 110 has a generally cylindrical body142 and a flange 144 projecting radially outward from one end of thebody. The receptacle body 142 defines a central opening and has cam andlocking surfaces 146 defined at an end opposite the radially outwardextending receptacle flange 144. The panels 118 and 120 are broughttogether so that the stud 114 and the receptacle 116 are in alignment.The head 132 of the stud 114 is engaged by a turning tool pushedinwardly against the bias of the spring, and turned ¼ turn with thecross pin 134 of the 130 in engagement with the cam and locking surfaces146 of the receptacle 116. This action locks the fastener 110 in placewith the two panels 118 and 120 in secure engagement with one another.

Although the fastener 110 employs a turning tool to turn the stud head132 and engage the cross pin 134 with the receptacle 116, other suchfasteners may include a folding handle pivotally attached to the studhead, to perform this step. In an upright position, the folding handleis used to turn the stud head and can then be pivoted out of the wayinto a folded position after the stud head is turned. For example,folding rings have been used as such a folding handle in ¼ turnfasteners and include projections which are received within the studhead, to pivotally attach the folding rings to the stud head. However,one drawback of these folding handles is they may become dislodged fromthe stud head with minimum torsional force while being used to turn thestud head.

Another drawback of such ¼ turn fasteners is that they may requireaccess to the back of the supporting panel 120, in order to secure theflange 144 to the panel 118. However, in many applications one is notable to access certain areas of a panel. Although fastening devices thatinclude fastener receptacles that are referred to as rivet nuts ornutserts are known which do not require access to a back of thesupporting panel, these fastener receptacles (rivet nuts or nutserts)are not capable of direct engagement with such ¼ turn fasteners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a fastener is provided for securing a first panel toa second panel, where the first panel and the second panel each includean aperture for receiving the fastener. The fastener includes a studinsertable through the aperture in the first panel and engageable withthe second panel to secure the first panel to the second panel. The studhas one end that is insertable through the apertures and a stud headdistal to the end. The fastener further includes a pivoting handleassembly with a handle operatively connected to the stud head. Thehandle is pivotal between an upright position in which the handle isgenerally perpendicular to the first panel, and a folded position inwhich the handle is generally parallel to the first panel. The fastenerfurther includes a biasing mechanism connected to the stud head and thehandle that biases the handle outward relative to the stud head. Thefastener further includes a locking pin connected to the stud head andthe handle and in connection with the biasing mechanism to hold thehandle in the upright position or the folded position.

In another embodiment, a fastener is provided for securing a first panelto a second panel, where the first panel and the second panel eachinclude an aperture for receiving the fastener. The fastener includes astud insertable through the aperture in the first panel and engageablewith the second panel to secure the first panel to the second panel. Thestud has one end that is insertable through the apertures and a studhead distal to the end. The fastener also includes a pivoting handleassembly that has a handle operatively connected to the stud head. Thehandle is pivotal between an upright position in which the handle isgenerally perpendicular to the first panel, and a folded position inwhich the handle is generally parallel to the first panel. The pivotinghandle assembly also includes a biasing mechanism disposed in a centralboring of a block of the stud head, and an axle of the handle disposedwithin a slot of the block, where the axle is disposed perpendicular tothe biasing mechanism such that the biasing mechanism biases the axleoutward relative to the stud head.

In another embodiment, a fastener is provided for securing together afirst panel to a second panel, where the first panel and the secondpanel each include an aperture for receiving the fastener. A first sideof the first panel and the second panel are facing each other, and asecond side of each is facing away from each other. The fastenerincludes a grommet with an opening and a radially outwardly extendingflange for engaging the second side of the first panel. The fasteneralso includes a receptacle that is a rivet nut mounted to the first sideof the second panel and with a central opening facing the first side ofthe first panel and aligned with the respective apertures of the firstpanel and second panel. The fastener further includes an insert inthreaded engagement with an interior surface of the rivet nut receptacleand the insert having cam and locking surfaces for engaging a cross pinof a stud having been inserted through the grommet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages of the invention will become more apparentfrom the following description in view of the drawings. Similarstructures illustrated in more than one figure are numbered consistentlyamong the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross section of a prior art fastener holding two panelstogether;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fastener installed in two panelsaccording to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial section view of the fastener according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A-4C include various views of a receptacle with a fastener insertaccording to embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A-5D include various views of a receptacle with a fastener insertand a lock cap according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the pivoting handle assembly and stud/cupretainer assembly according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A-7B include views of the pivoting handle assembly according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 8A-8B include sectional views of the pivoting handle assemblyaccording to embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 9A-9B include views of the shaft for the pivoting handle assemblyaccording to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 includes a perspective view of the handle according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 includes a perspective view of a handle according to analternate embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, a fastener, which is designatedgenerally by the reference numeral 10, is of the ¼ turn type, having agrommet 12, a stud 14, and a receptacle 16, and may incorporate thevarious inventions described and claimed herein. While components of theinvention are described in reference to a ¼ turn fastener, theinventions and their parts may be used with other types of quick-releasefasteners such as 2× and 4× threaded fasteners.

The fastener 10 holds together two panels 18 and 20, with adjacent sidesof the panels in contact with one another, by extending through openingsformed in the panels to receive the fastener 10. While the inventionsmay be described in terms of securing together two panels, theinventions are not intended to be so limited and could be used to securetogether various types of components of structures, machines etc.

The grommet 12 has a cylindrical body sized to extend through theopening in one of the panels 18, usually an outer panel, and one end ofthe cylindrical body has a radially outward extending flange 28 toengage the outer surface of the outer panel 18. The other end of thecylindrical body has a radially outwardly extending shoulder or flangeto engage a retaining ring 19 for retaining the grommet 12 on the outerpanel 18.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the stud 14 has a shaft 30, a head 32 and across pin 38 extending through an opening 39 in the shaft 30 at an end41 opposite to the head 32. A cup member 36 is slidable along the shaft30 and a spring 34 on the shaft 30 between the head 32 and cup member 36biases the stud 14 relative to the panel 18. This arrangement keeps thehead 32 of the stud 14 biased by the spring 34 slightly outward from theradially outward extending flange 28 at the outer side of the outerpanel 18. The end 41 of the shaft 30 extends through an opening in theouter panel 18, and the cross pin 38 positioned in the opening 39 in theshaft 30, prevent the assembly of the grommet 12 and the stud 14 fromseparating from the outer panel 18.

As shown in FIGS. 6-11, the stud 14 includes a pivoting handle assembly40, and as will be explained in more detail below the handle assembly 40controls the manipulation of the stud 14 relative to the receptacle 16to secure the panels 18 and 20. The receptacle 16 may be the typedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,180 (the '180 patent); U.S. Pat. No.5,795,122 (the '122 patent); U.S. Pat. No. 7,997,843 (the '843 patent);and, U.S. Pat. No. 8,282,329 (the '329 patent), which are incorporatedherein by reference. In another embodiment, the receptacle 16 shown inFIGS. 3, 4A-4C and 5A-5D may be of a rivet nut type installed on abackside of panel 20 that may not otherwise be accessible afterinstallation of panel 20.

More specifically, the receptacle 16 (or rivet nut) is inserted througha hole in the inside panel 20, which may have a counter bore in whichflange 42 is seated. A rivet screw (not shown), which is known to thoseskilled in the art for securing rivet nuts to panels, frame members andthe like, is then inserted and threaded into the receptacle 16 to crimpthe outer surface of the receptacle against a backside of the panel 20forming the bulge 44 anchoring the receptacle 16 to the panel 20. Aninsert 48 (or barrel member) is then passed through a central opening ofthe receptacle 16 and secured within the receptacle 16, similar to thoseinserts or barrel members described in the '180, '122, '843 and '329patents having external threads that engage the internal threads of thereceptacle 16. The insert 48 also includes a central opening largeenough to receive the end 41 of the shaft 30 of the stud 14. Asillustrated in FIGS. 4B-4C, diametrically opposed curved slots 49, 51are provided on the insert 48 for receiving the cross pin 38 of the stud14. These slots 49, 51 form cam and locking surfaces leading to apicesbeyond which the slots 49, 51 curve back toward and end of the insert 48facing the grommet 12 to define locking surfaces for the cross pin 38.Depending on the panel 18, 20 thicknesses and the length of the studshaft 30, the insert 48 is threaded into the receptacle 16 until theinsert 48 is positioned at a correct depth setting, such that the slots49, 51 are positioned to define the cam and locking surfaces with thecross pin 38.

After the insert 48 has been positioned at the correct depth settingwithin the receptacle 16, the insert 48 is locked or affixed within thereceptacle 16 so the position of the insert 48 is not longitudinallyadjustable within the receptacle 16, using various methods. In oneembodiment, the insert 48 may be treated with an adhesive such asLoctite® to lock or affix the insert 48 in the receptacle 16. In anotherembodiment shown in FIGS. 5A-5D, the receptacle 16 may have externalthreads 102 for receiving a lock cap 100 and lock the insert 48 in thereceptacle 16. Internal threads 110 of the cap 100 engage the externalthreads 102 of the receptacle 16, to compress the receptacle 16 againstthe insert 48. In an exemplary embodiment, a circumference of the cap100 or the receptacle 16 may be tapered from one end to another end,including external tapered threads 102 on the receptacle 16 and internaltapered threads 110 on the cap 100. This tapered arrangement of the cap100 and the receptacle 16 enhances the compressive force exerted by thereceptacle 16 on the insert 48, as the external tapered threads 102 ofthe receptacle 16 engage with internal tapered threads 110 of the cap100. By threadably engaging the cap 100 over the receptacle 16, thereceptacle 16 is pressed inward against the insert 48, thereby lockingthe insert 48 within the receptacle 16 and preventing the insert 48 frombecoming dislodged from the receptacle 16. As illustrated in FIG. 5D, aplurality of slots 103 are formed along the external threads 102 of thereceptacle 16, to divide the external threads 102 of the receptacle 16into compressible sections that bend inward and press against the insert48, upon engagement of the internal threads 110 of the cap 100 with theexternal threads 102 of the receptacle 16. As illustrated in FIG. 5B,the receptacle 16 includes a tapered end 105 at one end beyond theexternal threads 102, where an outer diameter of the tapered end 105decreases towards the end of the receptacle 16. Upon the threadedengagement of the cap 100 with the receptacle 16, a seat 107 at anopening 16A of the cap 100 engages the tapered end 105 and presses thetapered end 105 inward against the insert 48, to lock the insert 48within the receptacle 16 and prevent rotation of the insert 48. In anexemplary embodiment, an inner diameter of the seat 107 at the opening16A is less than an outer diameter of the tapered end 105, to enhancethe compressive force of the seat 107 against the tapered end 105. Whilethis particular invention including the lock cap 100 is shown incombination with rivet nut receptacle 16, this invention is intended tobe used with other fastener receptacles, and in particular ¼ turnfastener receptacles. For example, the invention could be used with the¼ fasteners of the '180, '122, '843 and '329 patents.

After the insert 48 is locked within the receptacle 16, structuralcomponents are provided to prevent loosening of the insert 48 from itslocked position within the receptacle 16. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, anO-ring 104 is seated in a groove 106 on an exterior of the receptacle 16spaced from the bulge 44 toward the end of the receptacle 16 opposite tothe flange 42. As shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, the groove 106 and O-ring 104are disposed adjacent to the external threads 102. The cap 100 isinternally threaded with internal threads 110. As the cap 100 isthreaded onto the receptacle 16 radial forces or torsional forces areapplied to the receptacle 16 and consequently the insert 48. The cap 100includes an internal groove 108 that seats against the O-ring 104 whenthe cap 100 is tightened on the receptacle 16 so that when the internalgroove 108 engages the O-ring 104, a predetermined amount of torque isrequired to longitudinally adjust the insert 48 within the receptacle16. The engagement between the internal groove 108 and the O-ring 104may be biased such that a level of resistance during tightening of theinternal groove 108 on the O-ring 104 is greater than a level ofresistance during loosening of the internal groove 108 from the O-ring104. The engagement between the internal groove 108 and the O-ringprevents longitudinal adjustment of the insert 48 within the receptacle16, as may occur when the panels 18, 20 and fastener 10 are subjected tovibrational forces. To that end, the O-ring 104 is positioned at apredetermined location relative to the end of the receptacle 16 suchthat when the internal groove 108 engages the O-ring 104 a set number ofturns or rotations of the cap 100 will set the predetermined torqueamount. This torque amount can then be adjusted by longitudinallyadjusting the position of the insert 48 in the receptacle 16.

The pivoting handle assembly 40 is shown in detail in FIGS. 6-11 andincludes a handle 50 operatively connected to the head 32 of the stud 14to fold or pivot between an upright position (FIG. 8A) whereby thehandle 50 is generally perpendicular to the panel 18 and a foldedposition (FIG. 8B) whereby the handle 50 is generally parallel to thepanel 18. In the upright position, the handle 50 generally enables thequick turning of the stud 14 in the grommet 12 and receptacle 16 toquickly unfasten the outer panel 18 relative the inner panel 20 withoutthe need of any specialized tools that fit the fastener 10. When afastener 10 is installed the handle 50 may be pivoted to the foldedposition so the handle 50 is not in an obstructive position. Inaddition, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, the stud head 32 including a block54 and a platform 56 prevent the handle 50 from pivoting past thisfolded position and striking the panel 18 surface.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9A-9B, the head 32 of the stud 14 includes theblock 54 formed on an enlarged area referred to as a platform 56. Asillustrated in FIG. 9B, a central boring 63 is formed through the block54 and the platform 56 for receiving a biasing mechanism 60 such as acoil/compression spring or one or more spring washers. In the embodimentshown in FIGS. 7A-7B, the biasing mechanism 60 is a compression spring.The biasing mechanism 60 biases the handle 50 or components of thehandle against locking surfaces to lock the handle 50 to the stud 14. Asshown in FIG. 6, a flat washer 58 may be disposed between the biasingmechanism 60 and the handle 50 to provide planar surfaces that engagethe biasing mechanism 60 and handle 50.

The handle 50 includes a main body 62 for grasping and an axle 64 spacedfrom the main body 62 with an opening 66 there between. The axle 64 isinserted and disposed within a slot 68 (see, FIGS. 9A-9B) that extendsthrough the block 54 laterally relative to a longitudinal axis of thestud 14. A locking pin 70 extends through apertures 72 in the block 54and the opening 66. Thus, the axle 64 is disposed between the biasingmechanism 60 and the pin 70. The biasing mechanism 60 biases the axle64/handle 50 outward relative to the boring 63, the block 54 and thestud head 32 and against the pin 70, and thus locks the handle 50 to thestud head 32. As shown in FIG. 10, the axle 64 includes an indentation74 on or in which the pin 70 is seated. The biasing mechanism 60 biasesthe indentation 74 against the pin 70, locking the handle 50 on theshaft head 32 and thereby preventing or minimizing lateral movement ofthe handle 50. FIG. 11 illustrates an additional embodiment of a handle50′ with an axle 64′ that includes an indentation 74′ to seat the pin 70and lock the handle 50′ to the stud head 32. The axle 64′ also includesa pair of legs 76′, 78′ at opposing ends of the axle 64′ that extendoutside the slot 68, when the axle 64′ is disposed within the slot 68,and support the handle 50′ on the platform 56 of the block 54 bypreventing the handle 50′ from tilting back and forth when the handle50′ is in the upright position. Additionally, the legs 76′, 78′ preventthe handle 50′ from shifting laterally back and forth within the slot 68when in the upright position, since the legs 76′, 78′ maintain theindentation 74′ in engagement with the pin 70. Additionally, the legs76′, 78′ inhibit downward movement of the handle 50′ that would compressthe biasing mechanism 60 and unlock the pin 70 from the indentation 74′.

While the FIGS. 2, 3 and 6-11 illustrate the pivoting handle assembly 40in connection with a ¼ turn fastener, the assembly 40 may be used withother types of quick-release fasteners such as quick release screwfasteners, push to lock fasteners, 2× and 4× threaded fasteners.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described herein, it will be obvious that such embodiments areprovided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes andsubstitutions will occur to those of skill in the art without departingfrom the invention herein. Non-limiting examples include a componentthat is described above as being attached to one part of the apparatusmay alternatively be attached to a different part of the apparatus inother embodiments. Parts described as being indirectly connected may beconnected directly to each other, and vice versa. Component parts may beassembled from individual pieces or may be integrally formed as a singleunit. Alternative types of connectors and alternative materials may beused. The apparatus may be used with other types of power tools.Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. A fastener for securing a first panel to a second panel, wherein thefirst panel and the second panel each include an aperture for receivingthe fastener, comprising: a stud insertable through the aperture in thefirst panel and engageable with the second panel to secure the firstpanel to the second panel, the stud having an end that is insertablethrough the apertures and a stud head distal the end; and a pivotinghandle assembly comprising a handle operatively connected to the studhead whereby the handle is pivotal between an upright position in whichthe handle is generally perpendicular to the first panel, and a foldedposition in which the handle is generally parallel to the first panel; abiasing mechanism connected to the stud head and the handle that biasesthe handle outward relative to the stud head; and a locking pinconnected to the stud head and the handle and in connection with thebiasing mechanism to hold the handle in the upright position or thefolded position.
 2. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the pivoting handleassembly further comprises: the stud head including a block having acentral boring in which the biasing mechanism is disposed; the handlehaving an axle disposed within a slot of the block, and the axle spacedfrom a main body of the handle forming an opening there between; thelocking pin secured within the block wherein the axle is disposedbetween the locking pin and the biasing mechanism, and the locking pinis disposed perpendicular to the axle; and, wherein the biasingmechanism biases the axle outward relative to the boring, the block andthe stud head and against the locking pin.
 3. The fastener of claim 2wherein an indentation is formed on the axle for receiving the lockingpin.
 4. The fastener of claim 2 wherein the axle includes a pair of legsat opposing ends of the axle to support the handle on a platform of theblock.
 5. A fastener for securing a first panel to a second panel,wherein the first panel and the second panel each include an aperturefor receiving the fastener, comprising: a stud insertable through theaperture in the first panel and engageable with the second panel tosecure the first panel to the second panel, the stud having an end thatis insertable through the apertures and a stud head distal the end; anda pivoting handle assembly comprising; a handle operatively connected tothe stud head whereby the handle is pivotal between an upright positionin which the handle is generally perpendicular to the first panel, and afolded position in which the handle is generally parallel to the firstpanel, a biasing mechanism disposed in a central boring of a block ofthe stud head, and an axle of the handle disposed within a slot of theblock, the axle disposed perpendicular to the biasing mechanism suchthat the biasing mechanism biases the axle outward relative to the studhead.
 6. The fastener of claim 5 wherein the axle is spaced from a mainbody of the handle forming an opening there between, and wherein thepivoting handle assembly further comprises: a pin secured within theblock wherein the axle is disposed between the pin and the biasingmechanism, and the pin is disposed perpendicular to the axle; and,wherein the biasing mechanism biases the axle outward relative to theboring, block and stud head and against the pin.
 7. The fastener ofclaim 6 wherein an indentation is formed on the axle for receiving thepin.
 8. The fastener of claim 5 wherein the axle includes a pair of legsat opposing ends of the axle to support the handle on a platform of theblock.
 9. The fastener of claim 8 wherein the platform is generallyparallel to the first panel and is positioned between the handle and thefirst panel to prevent a pivot of the handle beyond the folded position.10. The fastener of claim 7 wherein the biasing mechanism is acompression spring and the compression spring biases the axle outwardagainst the indentation to prevent a shift of the handle along theblock.
 11. A fastener for securing a first panel to a second panel,wherein the first panel and the second panel each include an aperturefor receiving the fastener, comprising: a stud including a shaft, a headat a first end of the shaft and distal to a second end of the shaft,wherein the shaft and second end of the shaft are insertable through theapertures in the first and second panels; a grommet having a cylindricalbody configured to be inserted through the aperture of the first panel,and a flange connected to the cylindrical body to engage an outersurface of the panel facing away from the second panel; a receptaclemounted to a second side of the second panel facing away from the firstpanel and at the aperture of the second panel, and the receptacleincludes an internal threaded surface; an insert configured for threadedengagement with the receptacle, and the insert having cam and lockingsurfaces to be engaged by a cross pin on the shaft; a handle including amain body for grasping and one or more legs that are connected to,spaced apart from and disposed within a same plane of the main bodyforming an opening there between, wherein the one or more legs aredisposed within one or more corresponding notches of the stud head, andthe handle is pivotal between an upright position in which the handle isgenerally perpendicular to the first panel, and a folded position inwhich the handle is generally parallel to the first panel, a biasingassembly that comprises: biasing device comprising a spring disposedalong a shaft of the between disposed between the head of the stud andthe second end of the shaft; and a housing surrounding at least aportion of the spring; and, wherein the spring applies a biasing forceagainst a surface of the housing in one direction toward the second endof the shaft and a biasing force against the handle in another oppositedirection toward the head of the stud.
 12. The fastener of claim 11wherein the spring is a first spring and the biasing assembly furthercomprises: the stud head including a block having a central boring inwhich a second spring is disposed and two apertures on opposite sides ofthe block in communication with the central boring forming a slot in theblock; the one or more legs of the handle including one leg extendingfrom one side of the handle to an opposite side thereof and the one legis disposed within the slot of the block; a locking pin secured withinthe block wherein the one leg is disposed between the locking pin andthe second spring, and the locking pin has a longitudinal axis disposedperpendicular to the one leg; and, wherein the second spring biases theaxle outward relative to the boring, the block and the stud head andagainst the locking pin.
 13. The fastener of claim 11 wherein thereceptacle is configured as a rivet nut having a first portion that isdeformable to a collapsed position against the second panel and a secondportion having the internal threaded surface spaced from the secondpanel and the first portion is between the second portion and the secondpanel.
 14. The fastener of claim 12 further comprising a cap withinternal threads in threaded engagement with external threads on an endof the receptacle distal to the central opening thereby compressing thereceptacle against the insert so a position of the insert is notlongitudinally adjustable within the receptacle.
 15. The fastener ofclaim 14 wherein said fastener further comprises: an O-ring seatedwithin a groove on an exterior of the receptacle between the externalthreads and the second panel; wherein the O-ring is positioned at apredetermined location on the receptacle such that when the cap engagesthe O-ring a predetermined amount of torque is required tolongitudinally adjust the insert within the receptacle.
 16. The fastenerof claim 14 wherein a plurality of slots are formed along the externalthreads to divide the second portion of portion of the receptacle intosections that compress against the insert upon the threaded engagementbetween the cap and the receptacle.
 17. The fastener of claim 14 whereinthe receptacle includes a tapered non-threaded external end opposite thecentral opening thereof, and the cap includes a non-threaded seat at anopening in the cap to engage the tapered end of the receptacle tocompress the receptacle against the insert upon the threaded engagementbetween the cap and the receptacle.